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Marvel Editor Axel Alonso talks ‘Cage,’ ‘Deathlok’

At the Marvel Retailer Rally on Monday CBR News Contributing Writer Kelly Sue DeConnick sat down with Marvel Comics editor Axel Alonso to discuss two new series coming from Marvel, “Cage” and “Deathlok.”

A rough character sketch by Richard Corben. Click to enlarge.

“Cage” is a 5 issue series set to debut February, 2002, to correspond with Black History month. Written by Brian Azzarello with art by Richard Corben, Alonso noted that fans married to a particular idea of Luke Cage may be upset by this book.

Alonso described this Luke Cage as a Private Investigator from the Inner City who’s a “fixer,” a role popularized in films like “The Professional” and “La Femme Nikita.” And yes, he does work for money. In the first story a woman seeking vengeance approaches Cage with only a meager bank book.

Also coming from Marvel is a new look at the character Deathlok, the killer cyborg who’s both man and machine in the same body. This new “Deathlok” mini-series will be 4 issues and set in the near future, not that different than our own, but certain things have changed. Canada is the major Super Power. America has divided into clans. Capitalism still exists, but it’s not quite the same.

“You can still order your bacon cheeseburger and curly fries at the drive-through, but you better give a wave to the guy in the machine gun turret up top” said Alonso.

Alonso compared the book to a Farley brothers movie – it may be mean spirited in some ways, but ultimately it speaks of redemption. People who don’t get the joke might find this book particularly violent.

It’s a bit early to announce the creative team on this book, but Alonso did share that the writer is an unknown, a former Xeric grant award winner, calling him a “bright, savvy, dirty white boy” with a day job. He’s looking to team him with a veteran artist who’ll create some excitement, but until the selection is confirmed he won’t be naming names.

Alonso told CBR News on Tuesday that fans should look for Deathlok to be released sometime in the second quarter of 2002.

In addition to the comic news, Deathlok will also be headed to the big screen in a film produced by Marvel, Crystal Sky Productions and Paramount Pictures.